This section will be updated regularly when we have more information to pass on. For now, we have outlined below the workshops planned for the festival:
Afra Al Kahira International teacher and performer Afra has been an oriental dancer for more than 25 years. She is well known for her exciting performances using props and was the first dancer to use Isis wings in the UK. Afra is teaching two workshops at Pycoob:
Oriental bellydance Using a Silk veil Open level: An introduction to using a silk veil including tips, tricks to make the most of this exciting prop
Oriental dance “Oh so quiet” Intermediate Level: This workshop will focus on how learning how stillness can give an extra dimension to your dance.This workshop is taught using classical and modern Egyptian music and Egyptian dance technique
Dr Robyn Friend. Robyn is a Persian dancer and choreographer based in Los Angeles USA. Internationally renouned for her knowledge and skill in persian dance Robyn is teaching
Persian Classical and Popular Dance
The workshop will begin with a warm-up routine that focuses on posture and alignment, and introduces some basic movements and styling for Persian Classical and Party (bazmi) dance. Robyn will then teach specific movements that will be used in a choreography she will teach. The music for the choreography (by Bijan Mortazavi, “Ey Maah Bebin”) though modern, is suffused with imagery and symbolism from Persian classical mystical poetry.
Robyn will explain the poetry and how the dance movements interpret both the poetic ideas and the musical accompaniment. By the end of the workshop, participants will have acquired a basic understanding of how to dance to Persian party music, as well as a small taste from the rich banquet that is Persian Classical dance.
Medea Mahdavi - Medea was born in Iran and moved to England as a teenager. She has developed a style of dance, which unites the fluidity, and spirituality of the Persian tradition with the sensuous earthiness of the other Middle Eastern styles. Medea combines contemporary, classical and folk elements reflected not only in her dance but also in the diversity of her repertoire of music, costume and make-up. Persian literature, her own rich life experience and her acute perceptions are the resources for Medea’s expressive work. Medea, co founder of Pycoob will be teaching a Persian workshop - more details to follow.
Nawarra
Nawarra—meaning flower-( could also mean a Joyful person) is a Leeds based bellydancer of Moroccan origin, the first Arab oriental dance instructor, based in Yorkshire and the North of England. Nawarra is one of the most charismatic and acclaimed choreographer, performer and master dance instructor of Moroccan dance- Maghreb Dance- of our time. Nawarra will be delivering two workshops:
The Shikkatt or Moroccan Shaiibi : widely listened to by Moroccans, used to express people's political views and feelings via various groups, danced in all different occasions, the dance requires different shoulder shimmies, and circles and some hair sways, an absolute joy and fun to do. Please note, this is quite a high energy workshop.
Moroccan Hip Hop : New trend dance style, only performed by the younger migrant generation, reflects the loss of identity and future. This dance has become extremely popular after the tragedy of the Fnaire dance Group.
Donna Gardner
A lifelong dancer, Donna has received guidance and training in ATS and fusion with Wendy Marlatt, training in the FatChance Repertoire with Carolena Nericcio and Wendy. She performs and teaches throughout the UK and Europe, teaching the first ever ATS workshop in Madrid and has taught at JOY, Tribalondon and Tribal Ford.
Pedralta collaborated with Hossam & Serena Ramzy, on two London shows. Donna directed and produced the show Tarab in Birmingham, collaboration with Rashani International and composer Phil Thornton. Highlights from Tarab and another Dublin show appear on the DVD magic Caravan, the first full production tribal belly dance and world fusion DVD produced in the UK.
Donna spent some time living and working in Northern Spain and developed a love of Flamenco and Spanish culture. She adopted the name of a local landmark and gathering place, Pedralta (high rock) and formed Pedralta Dance in 2005, along with her dance partner Lezley Hogg. They were joined in 2008 by Amanda Tivey.
Pedralta go back to the roots of Flamenco and incorporate flamenco and sevillana moves into their improvisational repertoire
Donna will be teaching two workshops during the festival:
Easy Does It- This is a technique-based workshop, designed to show people how to “find” their core muscles, to help with good posture and balance and to really control strong slow moves. It is suitable for beginners and those with dance experience. Easy Does It! – Slow Moves from the ATS Repertoire. Donna will show you how to achieve fluidity and prevent injury. Learn how to lead and follow slow moves with confidence and grace. It doesn’t have to be painful. Beautiful arms and hands are within your reach….get it? Please bring a yoga mat or towel for some gentle floor exercises to help you identify muscles. Beginners will learn the principles of how to achieve shape and control. Advanced dancers will refine and finesse.
Flamenco Passion- New moves for your Tribal Fusion repertoire. Pedralta Dance go back to the roots of Flamenco and incorporate flamenco and sevillana moves into their Improvisational repertoire. You will work on beautiful hands and arms and use of floreos (circular wrist movements) and new combos. More important than the moves and combos is the spirit of Flamenco. Release the power of duende from within. This is an open level workshop. Dancers of all levels will be able to work to their own pace.
Tracey Jones
Tracey is a well known Arabic belly dancer in the UK and won the UK's first National bellydance competition in November 2006 which was hosted and judged by Shafeek Ibrahim in which she danced a full Oriental Egyptian routine.
In 2007 she suffered a below knee amputation of her left leg following a horrific motorbike accident. In September 2009 she started teaching and performing again on a prosthetic limb and despite her disability she continues to be a talented and captivating dancer and an inspiration to many.
Full Oriental routine: Tracey will be teaching a full Oriental routine with veil entrance and drum solo finish and she will be seen performing this on the Saturday night. Working on taqasim (improvised) section and shaabi/ folkloric choreographed combinations within the piece, it is rich, modern and very Egyptian.
This will include entrance and exit, short drum solo and opportunity to focus on combination of steps and embellishments
Emma Pyke
Emma is well known belly dancer and embraces many dance styles including Arabic and Tribal bellydance! Emma is also well respected for her knowledge and skill in Lebanese dance and is teaching a Lebanese workshop:
Lebanese- This workshop will explore this energetic bellydance style taking basic bellydance moves but with a Lebanese twist!
Carla Phillips
Carla has been involved in dance since the age of three attending classes in ballet, tap, modern, ballroom, Latin American and Irish dance. Arabic music became a big part of her life at age 21 when she lived in Tunisia working as an entertainer and it was here that she came across traditional Tunisian folkloric dance. Having attended workshops across the country she have developed knowledge of Tunisian steps and rhythms from the lively Fezzani to the pretty Bounawara (using small hand scarves). Recently she has discovered Egyptian dance and have been learning this for just over a year.
Carla is passionate about sharing this fun and energetic style with other dancers and is teaching:
Tunisian workshop: An introduction to traditional Tunisian steps and rhythms which dancers can take away and use in their own routines. Tunisian dance takes place on the balls of the feet so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Carla will end the workshop with a demonstration in traditional dress.
Fiona Jackson - Fiona Jackson, a Shropshire based teacher will be teaching a workshop at the festival - most likely with Jude McGillivray - Fiona has an amazing knowledge of the different styles of bellydancing so once her hectic schedule of
publicity for Pycoob has slowed down, we will be able to let you have more details!
Jude McGillivray
Jude has been dancing and performing for most of her life; having studied ballet, contemporary and jazz she began Arabic dancing in the late nineties.
After studying with Lindsey Soloman, Jude has gone on to attend classes led by top UK and international teachers throughout the country. As a solo performer, Jude frequently dances at weddings, parties and large formal events, as well as performing with her own dance groups and Lindsey Soloman. Jude has been teaching beginners and improvers classes in modern Arabic dance in Shropshire since 2005. An accomplished choreographer, Jude regularly dances her own work both individually and with her groups. Jude will be teaching a workshop - we dont know what yet as she has been so busy
co-organising Pycoob so details will follow!
Katherine Soutar-Caddick
Katherine started Belly dancing in 2002, getting seriously bitten by the bug when her friend Fiona Jackson (also now a teacher) took her to her first class. She was smitten and attended regular classes in Shrewsbury with Lindsey Salomon (also a Shropshire based teacher) until 2006. Since then Katherine has attended numerous workshops and festivals, including every Jewel of Yorkshire weekend, the Fantasia festival in London (4 times) and the JWAAD Summer school (it will be her 6th time this year) She is particularly interested in Greek Tsiftetelli at the moment and travels to Greece as often as possible, she loves their music which also ties in well with her other current passion of playing the Zills, which is traditional in Greek bellydance as well as Egyptian. Katherine has been teaching for 6 years and has weekly beginners and intermediate classes. Katherine is visiting Cairo for the first time this March and is very excited about it!
Katherine will be teaching a
Dance and play! zill/sagat workshop for beginners focusing on getting moving with simple rhythmns including Tsiftetelli. The workshop will include a short choreography to Greek Tsiftetelli music which can be performed with or without zills. There will be some Zills to borrow but please bring your own if possible... (please note that this is not suitable for complete dance beginners, knowlege of basic moves is needed)
Lindsey Salomon
Lindsey is reputed for having brought bellydance to Shropshire and has taught most of the Shropshire based teachers. She performs and teaches Egyptian style bellydance and is skilled in using veils. She is teaching a Veil workshop:
Veil choreography-Exploring basic technique with a veil Lindsey is teaching a basic choreography which will include some basic veil technique.
Cherie Jerrard
Cherie is a well known tribal fusion dancer and teacher from Shropshire.She also runs dance troupe Bedouin Shiver. She is teaching an exciting and fun fusion workshop :
Charlston Tribal Fusion: Building on the basic bellydance moves of Tribal fusion in this workshop you will combine elements of The Charlston with bellydance to create a fun fusion routine.
Blue Eyed Dance Soul Company is an innovator of inclusive dance with disabled and non-disabled artists of all ages. From its base in rural Shropshire, the company works locally, nationally and internationally and has built a positive reputation for its excellent performance, education and training work. The Company aims to create a level playing field where people can step over their threshold of perceived possibility.
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